A new offer to teachers at a top private school in Newcastle taking strike action in a dispute over pensions is not good enough, says their union.
Members of the National Education Union working at Newcastle High School for Girls joined colleagues nationwide in the first of six days of walk outs on February 10.
A further five days of action are planned - today and tomorrow which the Newcastle teachers aren't taking part in as its half term - and March 1, 2 and 3.
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They are employed by The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) which has proposed to remove its teaching staff at these independent schools from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
If this were to go ahead, teachers will be at least 20% worse off on average in terms of the annual amount they receive in pension payments, says the union.
The GDST said to remain in the scheme would affect its long time sustainability and had offered a strong alternative pension arrangement.
Its trustees have proposed an updated offer that will allow staff to stay in the TPS until September 30, 2023. They will also get a pay rise - although it has not been revealed how much it would be.
"This pay rise and commitment to pay progression for our teachers is for the long-term, not a ‘short term financial sweetener’ as the NEU has suggested," said the GDST.
The GDST said it remained committed to reaching a settlement and have invited the NEU to meet with them.
"We care deeply about our teachers and would not have put forward these proposals unless we felt they were absolutely necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the GDST family of schools," said the GDST.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “It is very disappointing that the Girls’ Day School Trust has not reversed their decision to withdraw from the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
"If they were really listening to the strength of feeling from their staff, they would realise that short term financial sweeteners offer no compensation for the long-term security of the TPS.
"There is no financial imperative for GDST to insist on removing staff from the TPS next year.
"The National Education Union will of course enter the negotiations with GDST which we have been asking for.
"However, this offer gives our members no reassurance that the TPS will remain in place and the strike action will go ahead this week.”
